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Smart Packing Tips for Stylish Chicks

Dashing off to the beach for vacation or a weekend getaway? Not so fast! Be sure you’ve packed all the essential items you’ll need to stay stylish and chic during your time in the sun! Grab your favorite beauty and fashion goodies, but don’t go overboard….

To maximize your fun, minimize the number of beauty accessories you lug along to you vacation location with these helpful packing hints:

Makeup:

* Lip gloss is critical for preventing chapped, dried out smackers, but even more importantly, for avoiding sunburned lips! Try to find a tasty chap stick that also offers SPF protection—read the fine print, as many advertise whether or not they include SPF15 or greater.

Don’t stress out over how much eye makeup to bring, and forget about the liquid foundation as the sticky heat makes it react quite differently than you’re used to….

* If you like, pack a waterproof mascara to prevent the waves from washing out your eyes. Nothing is worse than unexpectedly looking like a crybaby or a tired raccoon when you’re having the time of your life in the surf and on the sand! (Do not forget to pack makeup remover, as most waterproof mascara is resistant to even soap and water!)

* Bring a concealer stick or powder compact to touch up blemishes. Too much foundation on a warm day can look and feel “cakey” or may just run if the temperature is too high. Also, makeup bottles stowed away in luggage, purses and carry-on bags are a bad idea when traveling. I once had a bottle of liquid foundation coat the entire contents of my backpack, destroy a brand-new purse and give me at least an hour of clean-up in one fell swoop! If you simply cannot live without your liquid foundation, place the bottle in a zip-lock bag just in case!

* Craving some color? It can’t hurt to bring a hue or two of eye shadow… but be careful with lipstick, as it tends to melt when higher temperatures prevail!

Body Care:

* No matter how badly you want a tan, bring suntan lotion to protect your precious hide from overexposure! In this case, it may be necessary to bring a special “faces” sunblock to prevent breakouts as well as a standard bottle of sunscreen for use on your entire body.

* Though they are possibly the most obvious item, don’t forget your sunglasses!

* Just in case you do get some sunburn, do your body a favor and slap on some aloe. A medium-sized plastic bottle is more than you will need, and you’ll thank yourself for remembering it if you happen to fall asleep on the beach. (Of course, you can also buy this at your vacation destination – it just might cost a little more than it does at home!)

* For another miracle remedy, pick up a small bottle of cocoa butter lotion. Once the aloe has reduced the burning sensation from your skin, you can rub in a little cocoa butter to prevent peeling and to moisturize the afflicted area.

* Have you ever been caught in a sand storm? Well I have, and I can’t stress enough about the value of a bottle of eye drops in case those pesky particles of sand find their way into your eyes, whether by a storm itself or by a playful game of football, volleyball, or beach soccer.

* Remember to pack your shampoo and conditioner, brush and comb, elastic bands and/or barrettes. If you don’t want to heave your family-sized containers of hair products to your vacation destination, you can easily pick up smaller travel-sized products. (Tight on money? You can always collect the small samples from hotels, as they are there for your use and wouldn’t you know—they fit perfectly in a small makeup bag!) If you are flying to your destination, pack all your liquid or cream-based products in plastic zip-lock bags. I once had a bottle of lotion explode on a flight, but thankfully I’d bagged it up tight before we left!

* When you spend time in the ocean or playing on the beach, what happens to the top of your head is likely the last thing on your mind. To help prevent sunburn on your scalp, consider packing a hat of some sort, a bandana, or a hair scarf.

* If dried-out hair due to excessive exposure to sun, chlorine or saltwater is a concern of yours, fret not! When you return home from your time away, try a deep-conditioning treatment or masque (Some use sea kelp to restore moisture).

Clothing:

* For a flirty appearance, bring a cute sarong or wrap to wear to the beach, or simply pack a pair of comfy shorts if you hope to beat up on the guys in football and Frisbee!

* Take two towels: one to lie on and one that is sand-free for when you need to dry off. A beach blanket or beach mat, or even a sheet from your accommodations, may also serve a handy purpose for time at the shore.

* An old T-shirt doubles as an escape from the sun’s powerful rays when you just want to relax and enjoy the sounds of the surf. Simply place the shirt over your face and you’ll still be able to experience the wonders of the beach without the sun in your eyes. Also, a T-shirt is good to have on hand, as it is important to cover exposed skin when the sun has already burned it.

* Normal clothes that you should be sure to bring: Shorts and tanks/tees, jeans or other long pants, perhaps a long-sleeve shirt and a hooded sweatshirt, a sundress, pajamas, bathing suit and underclothes. Don’t forget to bring a windbreaker or light jacket for those chilly nights off the coast!

* Footwear: Bring sandals or flip-flops, sneakers, and shoes to go with at least one nice outfit. (Hint: Try to pack outfits that look nice with the same sandals to reduce the need for extra shoes. As long as you can help it, you should not be toting an entire bag dedicated to shoes alone!)